[When we first meet] [1]

Splash.

Splashing the cold water on my face, I looked at the mirror.

My purple hair drenched with water, while my eyes, a mix of purple and red, showed signs of sleep deprivation.

I once again looked at my face.

Weak.

That's all that came to my mind when I thought about Azariah from the first game.

He was weak-willed.

No, he became weak-willed with all the darkness and negativity that surrounded him.

His mother is an emotionless monster.

His instructor beats him every day so he can get a little stronger.

His sister hates him.

His childhood friends hate him.

His fiancée doesn't know if she loves him, always hesitating if she should help him or not, and when she decided to help, it was already too late.

His only mother figure who genuinely loved him died because of him.

"What a fucked up situation this is," I chuckled mockingly as I looked at my face.

Splash.

Once again, I splashed cold water on my face to calm myself down.

The ache in my body was still there, reminding me of all the things I had gone through in half a month's time.

I had gone through a lot of shits to stop right now.

I looked at myself in the mirror, taking deep breaths.

And...

I smiled...

It was a forced smile, but I smiled.

Because in this world, nobody will care if I smile or not.

So it's better to mask my emotions with the facade of happiness.

Happiness that I might never get.

"Sigh..."

Sighing, I walked out of the bathroom and moved towards the bed.

"Hey, El, what do you think, how much time will I need to be powerful enough to defend myself against my mother?" As I wore the plain white shirt covering my naked upper body, I asked.

[You do know that your mother is just a step away from being a demigod, right?]

"Yeah... Forget I asked that," I mumbled in reply as I buttoned my shirt.

[....What's the average strength in your academy?]

"Hmm, around 3rd Primeval for the first-year students," I replied as I wore the abalone-colored pants.

[...And who are your enemies going to be?]

"Everyone," I replied with a smile on my face. "Everyone is going to be my enemy, even the teacher."

Even though I should be afraid thinking about all the people I am going to face, I felt like laughing.

Ahh, looks like I am really going mad.

[.....Are you sure you want to go there?]

"Dude, I don't have a choice," I replied as I shrugged into the navy blue blazer, completing my academic dress code.

[Even then, how would you survive in a place where everyone is against you?]

"Don't be too concerned," I replied as I took out a comb, fixing my hair. "All they could do is try to harm me from the shadows. After all, I am still the son of the most powerful woman of the empire and the heir of the Duke family."

[Still, Azariah—]

"It's fine," I replied softly as I wore the bracelet that I got yesterday. "I will be fine."

[Sigh....]

"Why are you worrying so much anyway?" I asked as I walked out of the hotel room.

[You are not fine... Azariah, you are mentally unstable.]

"Woah, I am not," I replied as I walked outside of the building. "I am perfectly fine, buddy."

[No sane person would write on his bone and walk out as if nothing happened... You are unstable.]

"Talking about runes." Ignoring his words, I continued, "Can you teach me how to use them in combat?"

[...You want to learn the Runic language?]

"Yeah, they might come in handy," I replied, shrugging.

I want to have everything that could save my life, and having more things that can help me is always welcome.

As I walked, I closed my eyes, sending mana into my space bracelet to see the items inside.

All the things that I had in my room were inside the bracelet—few letters that I got from the [Main Heroine] mother, a toy ring, a photo of my childhood, and... a hammer?

What is this doing here?

Well, whatever.

"And I need to carve two more runes into my body," I mumbled again with a tired sigh as I walked in the streets that led me to the academy.

The area around the academy is barren, with only students allowed to enter.

"I want my bike back," I grumbled as I crossed the intersection and stood at the side.

[Are you waiting for someone?]

"Yeah," I replied as I took out my phone, plugging in my earphones before playing the song from 'Echo.'

[Care to explain who you are waiting for?]

"A [Main Heroine], her name is Ashlyn," I replied as I took out a candy from my space bracelet and started eating it.

"Bland as ever," I mumbled as I chewed the candy, not feeling any taste from it.

[And what's up with this candy? You bought ten packets of it yesterday.]

"It's not for me; I can't even taste it," I replied as I looked at the packet of candy. "It's for her; she likes this candy."

Raspberry-flavored candies, her favorite.

"...."

[...What happened?]

"....I feel like I am forgetting something," I mumbled, my gaze still on the packet.

[What?]

"...Nothing," I mumbled as I placed them back before looking at the streets again.

[...You look like a stalker and a creep as well.]

".... That's not a very nice thing to say, you know," I grumbled as I hid behind a tree.

[I mean, look at you.]

"Yeah, yeah," waving my hand, I dismissed his words as I waited.

[You like her song a lot, don't you?]

As I hummed her song, El commented.

"...It's good to hear her voice," I replied as I closed my eyes.

[Anyway.... What's your mother's deal? You said that she wants you to prove yourself, but how and why?]

"She has an organization of herself [E.C.T.O.] and she is grooming me to be the next head for it," I replied as I stopped my hand from trembling.

I fear even by thinking about it.

"And about how I can prove myself worthy? I..I don't know that. I am at her mercy; if she wills it, I might die tomorrow," I replied as I let out a weak chuckle.

[But...Why you?]

"...I wasn't always her first choice," I replied, leaning against the tree to get some rest.

But I didn't get much rest as I heard the footsteps of someone.

Taking a deep breath, I peeked from the side of the tree, my gaze fixed on the girl walking ahead.

In that moment, the image of the girl from the game instantly overlapped with the one before me.

Her hair, a light caramel color, cascaded down her waist in gentle waves as she moved, her back turned towards me.

"....Let's go, then." Fixing my hair, I walked as I slowly approached her.

I have to be careful with her.

Because until I am strong enough to defend myself, until I can win and fight properly, she will be my trump card.

She will be the [Main Heroine] that the [Villainess Maker] will bring down with him.

She will be my meat shield.

She will be the one who will meet her demise.